Mephistopheles.
In velvet and in silk clad
He strutted proudly then,
And showed his star and garter
With titled gentlemen.
Prime minister they made him,
With cross and ribbon gay,
And then all his relations
At court had much to say.
This caused no small vexation
At court; I tell you true—
The queen and all her ladies
Were bitten black and blue.
And yet they durst not catch them,
Nor crack them, when they might,
But we are free to catch them,
And crack them when they bite.
Chorus. [shouting]
But we are free to catch them
And crack them when they bite!
Frosch.
Bravo, bravo!—his voice is quite divine.
Siebel.
Such fate may every flea befall!
Brander.
Point your nails and crack ’em all!
Altmayer.
A glass to liberty!—long live the vine!
Mephistopheles.
I’d drink to liberty with right good will,
If we had only better wine to drink.
Siebel.
You might have kept that to yourself, I think!
Mephistopheles.
I only fear our host might take it ill,
Else should I give to every honored guest
From our own cellar of the very best.
Siebel.
O never fear!—If you but find the wine,
Our host shall be content—the risk be mine!
Frosch.
Give me a flowing glass, and praise you shall not want,
So that your sample, mark me! be not scant;
I cannot judge of wine, unless I fill
My mouth and throat too with a goodly swill.
Altmayer. [softly]
I see the gentlemen are from the Rhine.
Mephistopheles.
Give me a gimlet here!—I’ll show you wine.
Brander.
